Standing atop a skyscraper dozens of meters high, a man cradled an injured woman while I stood silently before them. Members of Organization K. Ability Users sent to capture me.

The explosion on the rooftop had already drawn swarms of police. Sirens wailed below, blocking the building’s entrance. They’d reach us soon. No time for questions—they’d likely lie or trap me. Better to use Time Reversal and read their memories directly.

A door slammed open. Officers in uniform aimed black pistols at the only person standing: me. From their angle, I must’ve looked like the aggressor. "Drop your weapon, sir! Let the police handle this!" Were they blind? My hands were empty—if they didn’t count game tokens as weapons.

Ignoring their warnings, I stepped toward the pair. Time Reversal required direct contact. "Stop right there, or we shoot!" shouted a middle-aged officer through a megaphone. They held back, wary of provoking me.

"What do you want?" snarled the brown-haired man, tightening his grip on the woman. I ignored him and crouched before him. His hand darted toward his coat—reaching for a pistol. I froze his movement before he could draw it.

*Bang!*

A gunshot cracked. Some rookie cop, jumpy or trying to stop me. The bullet crawled toward me. My right hand flicked a coin—it deflected the round with a *clang*.

The police flinched back, stunned into stillness. Good. I had no taste for killing. After reading their memories, I’d leave.

I leaped backward off the rooftop, free-falling toward the ground. Just before impact, I activated Time Deceleration, slowing my descent for a soft landing. Onlookers scattered in panic. Officers below aimed their guns, staring like I was a monster. I’d grown used to that look.

Activating Time Acceleration, I vanished from the scene. The bait had worked well enough—I’d learned Organization K’s temporary base in Japan. But their commander remained unknown. In their memories, orders came from Tia. Just pawns, as I’d guessed.

I removed my mask long before reaching my apartment, slipping inside unnoticed. I nodded to Ms. Mikage, her eyes shadowed with exhaustion, and headed for my room.

"Black Dragon Stream Lord! You’re back!" chirped Hodou Yu, the self-proclaimed "Green Dragon Princess," still camped in my apartment. "Why haven’t you left yet?" And why was my room ransacked? "Stream Lord," she whined, "where’s that secret manual you promised?" One nuisance wasn’t enough—now there were two.

"Who’s *that*?" I demanded, glaring at Yu.

"What? I didn’t hear anything!" Yu stammered, her terrible acting giving her away.

I pushed past her. A red-haired girl in a hand-painted top rummaged through my shelves, her back to me. All I saw were a short skirt and white ankle socks.

I yanked Yu aside. "Who is she?" Before Yu could answer, the girl turned. "You’re the Black Dragon Stream Lord?" *Please stop using that cringey name.* "Who are you?" She looked about Yu’s age.

The redhead cleared her throat. "Allow me to introduce myself! I am the First Princess of the Fairy Kingdom of Flame!" I flicked her forehead. "Speak normally." Tears welled in her eyes. "I’m Tachibana Yuki. Yu’s classmate." Another chuunibyou.

"So," I said, my voice icy, "what are you doing in my home?" Yuki dropped to her knees instantly. *Knew it.* "I’ve come to be your disciple!"

I threw them both out and locked the door, ignoring their protests. Annoying. But I’d forgotten about the hole in my ceiling. Two heads peeked down. Yu smirked, half-threatening. "Stream Lord, have you seen the news? ‘Mysterious man in black battles atop skyscraper’—looked like a movie. Feels *awfully* familiar..."

I glanced up and smiled. "Come here. I need to tell you something." Yu, ever gullible, jumped down eagerly. I pointed at Yuki. "You too." Her eyes lit up. "Me? Really?" She leaped down after Yu.

I gripped both their shoulders. "Aren’t you afraid of dying?" My voice was glacial, my stare sharp. I felt them tremble.

I released them. "Don’t spread rumors. Leave." I collapsed onto my bed. *Time to infiltrate Organization K’s Japan branch. A little warning shot for K.*

I must’ve fallen asleep. The smell of food woke me. Who’d cook in my room? In the kitchen, Yu and Yuki wore frilly maid outfits. "Master! You’re awake!" Yu bowed. "Dinner’s almost ready!"

"What’s your game?" Suspicion coiled in my gut. Yu straightened. "To serve you, of course!" I pinched her dumb hair tuft. "Tell the truth, or I pluck this out." "No! Yuki said boys your age like maid outfits! We thought it’d help us learn your ultimate technique—Black Dragon Impact!" *For heaven’s sake. Stop using that name.*

I let go. These two weren’t leaving. An idea struck. "Since you’re so eager... I’ll teach you something." Yu gasped. "Really?" "After dinner."

Their cooking was surprisingly good. For a shameful second, I considered tricking them into being free chefs.

Yu and Yuki sat rigidly, awaiting their "training." I pulled out a game token. "Watch closely." I tossed it up—and froze it midair with Time Deceleration. Their awestruck stares were almost cute. "So cool, Stream Lord!"

I handed them each a token. "Try stopping yours. It won’t work at first. But if you’re talented... maybe someday."

They fell for it instantly. Occasionally, I’d slow a falling token with Time Deceleration, making them think they were improving. Peace at last. Let them play their coin-tossing game. My ears finally got some rest.